Newton man shoots self after four-hour confrontation with police

A Newton man was transported to Skiff Medical Center following a four-hour confrontation with police, during which time the resident was threatening to shoot himself.

Police were dispatched at 10:37 a.m. today to a residence in the 700 block of East 10th Street South in Newton in reference to a suicidal subject. The person who called 911 told officers the homeowner was alone at home and had access to firearms, according to a news release issued by the Newton Police Department.

Officers blocked off the area for the public’s safety and attempted to make contact with the homeowner many times in the four-plus hours they were at the scene. The homeowner would not communicate with Newton officers.

After two hours of seeing no movement in the house, the Newton Tactical Response Team and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team made entry into the house at approximately 2:45 p.m. Upon entering the home, officers reportedly heard two gunshots from inside.

It was later determined the resident had shot himself with his own firearm. No law enforcement officers were injured, and no law enforcement officers fired their weapons.

The homeowner was taken to Skiff by the Newton Fire Department. According to radio traffic, he was then airlifted to a Des Moines hospital. The homeowner's name and address was not made public in the Police Department statement, pending notification of family members.

It is the policy of the Daily News to not report on suicide attempts, except when they involve the public or public figures.